Actress Amanda Abbington has hit back at former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice following the release of his new autobiography, accusing him of mischaracterising their turbulent 2023 partnership to suit his own narrative.
The 52-year-old Sherlock and Mr Selfridge actress received an official apology and a small compensation payment from the BBC following a six-month investigation into Pernice's conduct during rehearsals for the flagship dance series.
Pernice, 35, addressed the controversy in his new book, Taking The Lead, which was serialised in The Mail on Sunday ahead of its publication last Thursday, just weeks before the launch of the revamped Strictly series on September 19. Abbington responded swiftly to the memoir's claims. "He is grossly mischaracterising what happened to suit his own narrative but I have no interest in engaging with that. My focus is on moving forward," she said. She added: "He took part in the BBC investigation that made findings against him, following which the channel paid me compensation."
Allegations of outrageous rehearsal behaviour
Friends of the Sicilian dancer have now revealed that they repeatedly begged Pernice to lodge a formal counter-complaint with the BBC against Abbington. According to these friends, staff members within the corporation also urged Pernice not just to defend himself, but to formally complain about her behaviour, telling him he would have received an apology and financial payout as well.
"Amanda bleated on that Gio did this, that and the other to her but in fact she started the gross language," one friend claimed. "She started with the C-word. We would say to Gio that, if he had made a complaint to the BBC about her, then he would have got a payout and apology, too. She had a potty mouth a lot of the time and it wasn't particularly pleasant. We begged him to tell the BBC about the Nazi salute but he didn't want to stoop to her level."
In his memoir, Pernice revealed that Abbington made a deeply offensive Nazi salute during a rehearsal session. Explaining why he did not report the incident to BBC executives at the time, Pernice wrote: "If somebody calls me rude names and makes rude gestures, including a Nazi salute (which Amanda did), it means our banter is at that level."
Pernice also submitted a 28-minute audio recording of a conversation with Abbington to BBC investigators. On the tape, Abbington told Pernice she knew she was a "nightmare" and admitted she would "throw me out of the window" if she were in his position.
Friends claimed Abbington briefed journalists against Pernice while omitting her own actions. They said pride prevented Pernice from raising a formal counter-complaint, as he takes great pride in not being a complaining type of guy and insists he is not a grass. "There was a lot he could have said which might have nipped things in the bud, but Gio takes great pride in not being a complaining type of guy," a source said.
Associates added that Abbington instructed her lawyer to send letters whenever Pernice's side of the story appeared in the media. "What is so galling is that Amanda didn't want to hear the other side of the story. Any time Gio's side was put in the media, she would get her lawyer to fire off letters," a friend said, noting Pernice may now slightly regret not taking legal action earlier. "Gio can now see that if he had done the same thing it might not have escalated as it did. It's a huge shame. All he'll say is that he's not a grass."
Broadcaster disruption and launch show timing
Friends described the book's release as "good old-fashioned revenge" against the BBC, saying Pernice feels strongly that executive bosses hung him out to dry. BBC insiders confirmed that the book's release threatens to overshadow the transformed series, creating a nightmare for broadcast executives.
Strictly Come Dancing cast members and professional dancers are currently in rehearsals preparing for the launch show on September 19. The upcoming series features a new hosting lineup with TV presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe taking over from long-standing presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
"You have to laugh at the timing," Pernice's friend remarked. "It's brilliant to have the Strictly wave to sell his book. But it couldn't be more irritating for the BBC. Just as they are trying to launch their transformed Strictly, along comes Gio like a dark cloud. Gio might be too classy to say this but those around him think it's what they deserve."
Timeline of the Strictly partnership and inquiry
The saga originally began three weeks into the 2023 series. Pernice had been excited to partner with Abbington after dancing with her during Strictly's speed dancing pairing event, viewing her as a talented ballroom star who shared his ambitious drive to win. However, Abbington stated that she first raised concerns regarding Pernice's conduct with Strictly producers on her third day of rehearsals, followed by numerous subsequent discussions with programme bosses.
Abbington withdrew from the show in week six, initially expressing her "deepest regret" at leaving for "medical" and "personal reasons." Pernice maintained he was extremely supportive and helpful regarding her health issue. Abbington later lodged a formal complaint alleging verbal bullying, harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviour, as well as claiming Pernice stamped on her foot, causing bruising.
Speaking in 2024, Abbington said: "I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people." Pernice strongly denied all allegations of abuse, harassment and misconduct.
Following a six-month investigation, the BBC upheld certain complaints related to verbal bullying and harassment, but cleared Pernice of the most serious allegations, including physical aggression. In response to the findings, the BBC expanded its welfare support staff and implemented mandatory chaperones in all rehearsal rooms.
Aftermath and new professional roles
In his autobiography, Pernice expressed confusion over Abbington's allegations, explaining that she sent him positive text messages and acted warmly in person while telling fellow contestants in a WhatsApp group that she could not work with him. Pernice revealed that being ousted from Strictly left him suffering from deep depression and contemplating suicide, though friends noted writing the book proved therapeutic after living through awfulness without a voice.
Friends stated Pernice felt let down by the BBC for pairing him with Abbington without thorough vetting, despite his years as a loyal ambassador and fan-favourite professional. Executives informed Pernice he could not return to Strictly both prior to and following the conclusion of the investigation.
Nearly three years after the initial conflict, both stars have progressed with their careers. In 2024, Pernice joined Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian edition of Strictly Come Dancing, winning the competition alongside his celebrity partner, 45-year-old actress Bianca Guaccero, whom he is now dating.
Abbington recently secured her highest-profile television role since the scandal, starring alongside Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson in the second series of the Apple TV thriller Down Cemetery Road. In May, her fiancé, 46-year-old former stuntman and escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, reached a legal settlement with the producers of America's Got Talent: Extreme following a 2021 rehearsal accident in which he was crushed between two burning cars, leaving him paralysed.
